A-Jay

That's a tank ! Like I always say, 5's are fun. Nicely Done. Congrats A-Jay

IMO something like the SK 6XD is about the top end of cranking for this rod. You can certainly fish bigger/larger, heavier and longer billed cranks with it, but the rod will be flexing quite a bit just on the retrieve. Which usually leaves little left for a proper hookset but will supply plenty of fatigue fighting the bait all day. A-Jay

Compared to many of the other St Croix, (as well as Diawa) casting rods I use, The handle behind the reel seat does have a smaller diameter. Not crazy small, but definitely on the 'thin' side. But I happen to like it quite a bit, super comfortable for me. I do wear 'large' size gloves, but consider my hands to be average I guess. I'm only 5'8" and 160 lbs if that helps. Finally, that rod is IMO definitely a crankbait rod. Meaning it's not something I'd fish anything else on. It's too moderate for anything without trebles, and not really a topwater rod either. Good Luck A-Jay

Although I have a few different makes & models, (but no Pop X's) when it's popper time, I reach for the Pop Max quite a bit. And I get a few. Much of my topwater smallie fishing up here happens in open water. Long casts are mandatory. Currently these baits are being presented on the set up pictured below. Diawa Tatula MQ LT Spinning Reel (3000D-CXH) mounted on the newest St. Croix Avid Series 7 ft Medium Fast Spinning Rod. I go braid to a fairly long mono leader. Replacing hooks & hardware is standard ops for me. I do usually leave the stock dressed treble until it starts to show wear. A-Jay

My time out on Lake Menderchuck the past several days was much needed but a little under whelming fish wise. Big rains here this week along with some other obligations will keep me from fishing more this week. So it's back into the gym; party's over. Starting that up today and once I get back into a little groove more workout video should be coming here. A-Jay

Hello Ed and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay

Looks like me gaging down a pizza pie. Extra cheese and Italian sausage is my jam. Just hope neither of us poop on your pool deck. That is all. A-Jay

Either way, Dan's a good egg And he knows his way around a vice. A-Jay

Might need to start doubling up on those pickleball sessions in the off season. Or maybe get a skate board. 😎 A-Jay

Still doing the YT thing . . . https://www.youtube.com/@smalljaw/videos A-Jay

Glad they're not in the picture. 😎 A-Jay

Me Too ! A-Jay

Interesting perspective. After a few decades, I'm still trying to figure that predictable & controllable thing out. So many of the plus size smallmouth I run into are quite the opposite. I don't fish creeks so maybe that's the reason. A-Jay https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/244312-something-i-noticed-after-my-first-year-fishing-for-smallies/

Sorry, I can't make it. Maybe next time. Thanks anyway and good luck with that 1 lure thing. A-Jay

I enjoy 'the fight' of any plus sized fish, including bass, as long as they end up in the net. Otherwise, it's not nearly as fun. Capturing the event on video allows me to relive the fun over and over. https://youtu.be/sITpRNLz_04?feature=shared&t=196 https://youtu.be/k3Z48BqFWuw?feature=shared&t=106 A-Jay

23 Aug 24 Update ~ We're hanging in there. Lynn's in a holding pattern right now. Treatment is still the same as my last update. Kidney function is SLOWLY / Incrementally improving. This is buying her some much needed time. Looks like this will play out and may go one of three ways. Kidney regains normal function, Dialysis forever or a kidney transplant. She's going on the need a kidney donor list in a week or two just in case. Chemo is once every two weeks and her Lupus is hiding in the weeds. I'm trying to take every opportunity I can to decompress. Thank you all Very Much for the continued support. A-Jay

Good Luck. I just did 4 mornings, been a while. Hope you do much better than I did. A-Jay

Not sure. Remember I'm fishing for big fish and only target places & use presentations that have produced for me. Some years the SMB do not show up in the numbers as previous years. Either way I do not think the LMB push them out. I think it's more of a case that the smb left prime spot vacant and the green bass moved in. I fished 6 hours a day in that same area the past 4 days including today and jumped off only 2 brown bass. One was a GIANT. But I saw very little bait (usually Perch) either - almost always goes that way, no shallow bait no brown bass. In the past, with the conditions I had today, this time of year, with bait schooling up in there, I could expect at least 2 or more fish over 5 even 6 lbs at times. I wait all year for these last weeks of August and the beginning of Sept. I'm taking the weekend off to cut the grass and then I'll need to either go back there and see if they show OR try another lake. At this time I'm undecided. Forecast is calling for crazy hot air temps next week so I might even take that whole week off while waiting for the temps to cool to a more seasonal level. Sure burned me out too besides all the boat & truck gas. A-Jay

You know I am totally with you on all accounts. I don't want to hurt any game fish and do consider myself a decent steward of the environment. I take steps that make me feel like I'm doing my part, to set a decent example and not add to the foolishness that surrounds us; at both the professional & recreational level. I have learned quite a bit about Esox care from you and others on this site. I apply what & where I can. A-Jay

Shoot them at @roadwarrior. 🤣 A-Jay

So I just cut my line then ? I hear ya, but I'm betting more giant musky die of old age than being miss handled by an angler. Not saying it's right but if the single one I might manage to land each season doesn't make it after therelease, the world will go on. A-Jay

When it's offered, I always use Paypal for on line purchases. Just checked my bank and it looks like they are waiting for it to ship before they charge me. I ordered from FishUSA because at the time of my order, they indicated that it was 'in stock'. Guess who was boondoggled ? This guy. I almost canceled the order but it looks like it's back ordered everywhere including the manufacture. So I'd be waiting either way. Hope I get it before the snow flies. A-Jay

Maybe you need a new lake to fish. Couple of days ago, I got bit off right at the boat my a big musky. The kind that might have tried to eat the biggest one I caught today. A real sea monster. Sort of glad I didn't hook it. You know I would have tried to land it. And without the right gear that's always a complete clown show. 🤡 A-Jay

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ A-Jay